The Hermit represents patience because his journey takes as long as it needs to take – rushing is not part of the plan. The Hermit’s journey has integrity because it’s made for personal insight and not for personal gain. His light brings up the issue of authenticity – it may be the light that guides, but it also may be the light that misleads. The darkness of the cave represents illusion caused by ignorance and fear. Those who find the Hermit reach a point of culmination in that they are now ready to hear his message. He represents a journey into the unknown in order to gain knowledge, wisdom and logic. To follow the Hermit’s journey requires prudence since there are many pitfalls along the way. The Hermit’s light represents reason in the form of wisdom that defeats instinct in the form of fear.

The Moon represents culmination and completion in the sense of the end of one journey that leads to the beginning of another. Osiris’ coffin sits undiscovered along the waters of the Nile, symbolizing the patience that is necessary with this card. The ripples in the water suggest illusion as the light of the moon is the light of illusion and delusion. The path that starts on the other side of the twin pillars is a path into the unknown. One can successfully travel the path as long as one is prudent and follows the true light of the Sun and not the reflected light of the Moon.

The 9 Wands indicates that the challenge one must face when looking within and discovering one’s own wisdom is that while one has the strength to perform the task that one also needs the help of others to complete it. As a gift of developing introspective insight, it suggests the ability to see into the ways of the opposition; as a challenge, it suggests that one shouldn’t dwell on imaginary enemies. As a gift of personal integrity, it suggests that one is able to remain steadfast; as a challenge, it suggests that one should avoid becoming overprotective of loved ones. As a gift related to the completion of one’s lessons, it indicates that one is now in a safe and secure position from which to make further advances; as a challenge, it suggests the need to prepare defenses against a future attack. As a dream or delusion, the indication is that one feels that they must shoulder a burden.

The 9 Cups indicates that the challenge that one faces when looking within and discovering one’s own wisdom is deciding what wisdom to pass down to future generations and how to do so. (Can wisdom really be told or can it only be learned?) As a gift related to developing introspective insight, it suggests being able to appreciate the little things in life; as a challenge, it indicates worrying about things that have already happened. As a gift related to personal integrity, it suggests having the wherewithal to help others; as a challenge, it indicates having to accept the generosity and hospitality of friends. As a gift related to the completion of one’s lessons, it represents having a sense of satisfaction with one’s achievements in life and looking forward to a bright future; as a challenge, it suggests that a sense of security is lacking. As a dream or delusion, it suggests putting on a happy face for the public.

The 9 Swords indicates the challenge that one faces when looking within and discovering one’s own wisdom is to fight off the despair and disillusion that leaves one paralyzed and unable to act. As a gift related to developing introspective insight, it suggests the need to remove oneself from all other distractions; as a challenge, it represents one’s fears and weaknesses that must be faced before insight can be developed. As a gift related to personal integrity, it indicates the opportunity to face difficult situations in addition to one’s own fears to determine and help develop one’s personal integrity; as a challenge, it suggests being dominated by one’s fears, weakness and sense of impotence. As a gift related to the completion of one’s lessons, it suggests gaining the knowledge or insight to overcome one’s predicament; as a challenge, it suggests giving up. As a dream or delusion, it indicates the feeling that one is constantly being put upon or is always under a Sword of Damocles.

The 9 Disks indicates the challenge that one faces when looking within and discovering one’s own wisdom is focusing on the material world. As a gift related to developing introspective insight, it suggests having the proper foundation; as a challenge, it indicates that which distracts one from their path. As a gift and a challenge related to developing personal integrity, it represents how one acts when finding something of value that belongs to someone else. As a gift related to the completion of one’s lessons, it indicates accomplishment and satisfaction; as a challenge, it suggests coming face-to-face with something that is hidden within oneself that must be addressed. As a dream or delusion, it represents the belief that one is owed comfort, luxury and material success or that those things will just fall into one’s lap without any effort on one’s part.

The Aeclectic Tarot Forum closed permanently on July 14th, 2017. The public threads remain online as a read-only archive and resource. More information on our decision can be found here. Thank you for being a part of our active community over the past seventeen years.